Are you in the midst of trying to comprehend or understand an Outstanding situation? Will you scream if you here the phrase, “It is what it is”, again?

There must be a better way to grasp how to just be, how to find peace and calm in the abyss of a difficult situation.

We are all placed, usually without our permission, in difficult situations. How can we focus our mind’s eye on a specific thought that allows peace of mind, some peace of mind, maybe a little peace of mind? A moment to breathe, to let go, to stop the negative personal narrative.

I discovered a saying, a thought pattern and a way of just being that is so powerful, I felt I needed to share.

‘Upeksha’ which translates into equanimity. ‘Upeksha’ is a thought from Patanjali’s ”Yoga Sutra, 1.33”.

Equanimity; “A state of mental calmness, composure, evenness of temper, especially in difficult situations. Acceptance of the present moment, regardless of circumstances”.

How does one achieve this thing called equanimity? A teacher explained this state of being in a mind-altering class one cold February morning.

“It’s like this now” were the words her and her late-husband used to cope while he was fighting cancer. She went on to explain how these words kept them present, accepting of what was happening, and yet they could still find joy and peace in moments and in life. “It’s like this now” are words from the book “Be Nobody” by Lama Marot.

My family has struggled with being in a state of equanimity since the passing of the fathers in our life. My father-in-law in 2015, 2 months before our marriage, my father in 2016, while in the midst of re-building my grandmother’s 1901 home and my step-father in 2018, almost 2 years to the day of losing my father. It was and can remain mind numbing and too much to comprehend in a single thought.

Yet, the words “It’s like this now” hit me like a bolt of lightning! What am I hearing?! Oh my, this makes sense! More sense than anything I have read or anyone has said to me.

“It’s like this now”. Those words helped to relieve the pressure of feeling like I must somehow make things right, that I must take action. It made me realize that the action I need to take is no action. I can just be. I can just accept. I am not in control and that is okay.

“It’s like this now”.